The parish’s pastor and the project’s general contractor are in agreement: Construction work on the renovation of Sacred Heart Cathedral has been top-notch.
“We’re extremely proud of the quality of work,” said Father John Mulligan, pastor at Sacred Heart and one of the diocese’s two vicars general.
“There really have been no surprises,” said Kyle Sayers, project manager for LeChase Companies, the general contractor. “Considering it’s a renovation of historic property, it’s gone tremendously well — on schedule, and on budget.”
Sayers and Terry Gardner, the project superintendent from LeChase, noted that their firm has overseen recent projects on other diocesan churches, including the construction of St. Matthew Church in Livonia, and the renovations of St. Louis, Pittsford, and St. Joseph, Penfield. Working on the cathedral, they said, has been an extra-special experience.
“It’s something out of the norm, this being the focal point of Rochester’s Catholic Church,” Gardner said, explaining that the cathedral’s religious and historical aspects set this effort apart from such projects as parking garages and office buildings.
“People have been very honored to work on the cathedral; it’s sacred space,” Father Mulligan said.
Sayers and Gardner noted that the following companies have served as primary subcontractors on the project:
‚Ä¢ Gypsum Systems Interiors Ltd. — drywall partitions, installation of doors and frames, cabinet work.
‚Ä¢ Crosby-Brownlie, Inc. — heating and air conditioning.
‚Ä¢ Kennedy Mechanical Inc. — sinks, toilets, hot- and cold-water systems.
‚Ä¢ Cashette Electric Inc. — all electrical work.
‚Ä¢ Rochester Glass Inc. — all aluminum frames, glass and glazing, exterior metal panels.
‚Ä¢ EG Sackett Co. — all ceramic tile work, cathedral flooring, granite at the baptismal font and altar.
‚Ä¢ Rochester Rigging and Erectors Inc. — structural steel supplier and erector.
‚Ä¢ Frederico Construction Co. Inc — all site work, mainly the demolition and removal of 11 nearby houses, as well as underground utilities and paving.
‚Ä¢ Profeta Inc. — all painting except for artistic painting of the cathedral interior.
‚Ä¢ Rochester Colonial Manufacturing — doors, framing and hardware.
‚Ä¢ A.W. Farrell & Sons — roofing for the cathedral and additions.
All of LeChase’s subcontractors are from the Rochester area, mostly from Monroe County. “Maggie Brooks (Monroe County’s executive) would be proud,” Gardner quipped. “It definitely helps the local economy.”
Sayers and Gardner praised the LeChase team and their associates at the lead architectural firm Williamson Pounders PC, of Tennessee, and local architectural firm LaBella Associates PC for working together smoothly to complete the project on time and on budget.
Noting that they rarely see top executives from a company once a project has begun, the LeChase managers said they have instead enjoyed frequent, friendly encounters with diocesan and parish leaders — Bishop Matthew H. Clark; Father Mulligan; Father Joseph Hart, moderator of the diocesan Pastoral Center and the diocese’s other vicar general; and Father Joseph Marcoux, parochial vicar at Sacred Heart.
“It’s been a pleasure to work so closely with them,” Sayers commented. “Here, with Bishop Clark, we’re dealing with the owner, so to speak,” Gardner added.
Father Mulligan observed that such encounters have been greatly enhanced by prayer services Bishop Clark has conducted with construction workers every few weeks.
“It’s been a very happy project for everybody,” Father Mulligan said.
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